Some Austin-area rent, utility assistance still available, but more needed, housing experts say

Sources of financial help for rent and utilities in Central Texas have been strained as the coronavirus enters its third year, but one nonprofit recently widened its use of several millions of dollars to include the Austin area, making the money some of the last available for struggling renters. The money could give thousands facing eviction or utility cutoffs a chance to catch up with late payments, just as moratoriums for evictions and grace periods for utility payments have expired. According to housing advocacy group Texas Housers, at least 500 Central Texas residents were facing eviction as of November — a number that researchers expect to increase.

Many renters were safe from eviction when moratoriums were imposed in March 2020 to ease the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic when businesses and restaurants closed and laid off workers. A Travis County justice of the peace in December extended for the 18th time eviction protections for renters through March 1, allowing them more time to seek assistance as the COVID-19 pandemic rages. But many surrounding counites have not extended those moratoriums, and rent and utility assistance has been exhausted, leaving thousands of renters with limited options for help. For the San Antonio-based nonprofit Endeavors, the group plans to step in to help residents get into more stable housing situations. "This really fills a gap and a clear need," said Ben Martin, senior researcher for Texas Housers. "We are seeing evictions rise, especially in jurisdictions that have run out of rent relief." Last March, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Development awarded Endeavours $14.6 million in Emergency Solutions Grants through the federal CARES Act to prevent Texans from becoming homeless. About $12.6 million was dedicated to rent and utility assistance across 96 counties with another $2 million dedicated to helping clients find more permanent housing.